By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2017 at 9:48 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: County Legislator Fred Miller states his concerns about rifle hunting for deer. Sheriff Randy Bower is in back. Miller cast the lone nay vote about the issue.
ALBION – Orleans County legislators today voted to allow rifles for deer and bear hunting, a vote that wasn’t unanimous.
County Legislator Fred Miller, D-Albion, said he has heard from many in the community who don’t want rifles to be used for hunting deer. Miller owns a hardware store in downtown Albion, and he said many people have come in to share their concerns about allowing rifles in a county with such flat terrain.
Miller also said he has personal experience getting hit by another hunter’s stray shot. About 40 years ago, Miller was out with his dog on Allen Road, near the end of Clinton Street, when he was hit by pellets from pheasant hunters. Miller said he was hit in the face and leg, and his dog also was hurt.
Members of sportsmen clubs attended Legislature meetings in December and January, asking the county to support rifles for big game hunting. (Rifles have been allowed for small game, such as woodchucks, foxes, crows and coyotes.) The sportsmen presented a petition signed by about 500 people, supporting rifles.
There are 62 counties in New York State, and 41 allow rifles for deer and bear, legislators were told.
Legislator Don Allport, R-Gaines, said he was strongly in favor of rifles, noting the 41 other counties support it. Allport also said today’s hunters make safety a priority.
“It’s not like 20 years ago when it was a big party in the woods,” Allport said.
Miller said after the meeting he would have liked more time for the Legislature to consider the issue. Miller said he wasn’t swayed by so many counties backing the measure. He said nearby Monroe, Niagara and Erie counties don’t allow rifles for deer and bears.
“Let’s not rush into it just because other counties are doing it,” Miller said.
Michael Van Durme, a retired chief conservation officer for Region 8 of the DEC, told legislators last month that rifles are much safer than shotguns for hunting.
“I can tell you rifles rounds for white-tailed deer are safer than shotguns,” he told legislators. “As far as a rifle round going long range and hitting people, it just doesn’t happen.”
Sportsmen insisted rifles are safer, because hunters tend to take only one shot with a rifle because they use scope and have better accuracy.
The issue now goes to the State Legislature to enact legislation to allow rifles for big game hunting in Orleans County.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2017 at 1:27 pm
Carlton sees biggest jump in taxes, while Albion town is lone municipality to reduce them
Photo by Tom Rivers: Taxes in Carlton have increased at a faster rate than any town in Orleans County since 2007.
In the past decade, taxes in local towns and villages have increased at varying rates, with Carlton seeing the biggest jump – 65 percent since 2007 – while one municipality, the Town of Albion, has actually reduced taxes from 2007 to 2016.
The 10 towns collectively have increased taxes double the rate of the increase for the four villages from 2007 to 2016, according to an Orleans Hub analysis of tax levies for towns and villages.
The 10 towns collectively saw the tax levy, what the towns collect in property taxes, increased from $6,033,325 in 2007 to $7,742,244 in 2016. That $1,708,919 increase is up 28.3 percent in the nine years.
The four villages collectively went from $5,666,865 in 2007-08 to $6,464,843 in 2016-17, which is up $797,978 or 14.1 percent.
Carlton has seen the biggest tax increase since 2007, which the levy increasing by 65.6 percent, up $357,469 – from $544,922 in 2007 to $902,391 in 2016.
Gayle Ashbery, the town supervisor, said today she was aware of recent increases. She noted the town has wrestled with a re-evaluation of 2,400 properties in Carlton. It paid GAR Associates Inc. $68,000 to compile the data, visiting every property in the town and make note of swimming pools, additions, sheds, garages and exterior property improvements. That project, begun in 2014, was done to make sure Carlton had up to date assessment records following an outcry from residents in 2013 over reassessments that many residents said were too high.
One town actually collected less in taxes in 2016 compared to 2007. Albion’s town tax levy dropped 4 percent in the nine years, down nearly $30,000 from $728,348 in 2007 to $699,551 in 2016.
“You can do it but it takes some work,” said Matt Passarell, the town supervisor.
The towns face escalating health insurance and employee benefits costs, he said, “and every one wants a raise.”
Albion has looked for efficiencies, sharing a codes officer with Gaines, for example, Passarell said.
“You have to be creative,” he said.
The town has dipped into fund balances in recent years to help stave off tax increases. Passarell said grants are also helping to tackle infrastructure projects.
The town also has seen a little boost in sales tax revenue. The county shares $1,366,671 in sales tax each year collectively with the four villages and 10 towns. The town and village total has been frozen since 2001.
However, the amounts can vary for each village and towns with villages. If the town’s assessments grow faster than the villages’, the towns will get more sales tax, taking away some of the villages. That’s what has happened in Albion. The town-wide assessments have outpaced the village assessments. That has resulted in the town sales tax share growing from $111,754 in 2013 to $124,978 in 2017. The Albion village share has fallen from $180,457 in 2013 to $164,617 in 2017.
Tax cap introduced in 2012
The governor and State Legislature approved a tax cap in 2011. That took effect in 2012 and tries to limit tax increases to 2 percent annually, although the threshold can change each year and municipalities can override the cap.
The cap seems to have slowed tax increases in the towns since 2012. Clarendon, for example, raised taxes $172,113 or 29.7 percent from 2007 to 2012, but has actually cut taxes since then. Gaines also has reduced taxes since the cap was implemented, and other towns have slowed the growth in taxes since 2012.
Ridgeway, for example, raised taxes $267,470 or by 42.3 percent from 2007 to 2013. The three years after, Ridgeway increased taxes by $46,732 or 5.2 percent.
(Three of the four villages had tiny tax increases from 2007 to 2012 – Holley actually lowered taxes during those five years. Albion and Medina both eliminated their village courts which saved some costs, with the expense passed to the towns. The villages’ taxes have increased since the tax cap, some years exceeding the 2 percent threshold.)
Villages slow tax increases, but suffer from shrinking assessments
Among the villages, none raised their taxes more than 25 percent over the nine years. Six of the 10 towns saw increases above 25 percent.
Holley had the smallest increase at 6.43 percent. However, the village separated the fire department from the village budget. The fire department is now in a separate tax.
The town tax increases may not be as noticeable each year because the towns’ assessed values are increasing, giving a bigger tax base to absorb the larger tax levies. That means the tax rates are often the same or see small increases. Many of the local elected officials judge their budgets on how the tax rate changes, and don’t fret as much about the tax levy.
However, a stable tax rate for larger assessed values still results in bigger tax bills for property owners (if their assessments go up.)
The villages are facing shrinking assessed values, so many of the Village Boards in recent years have reduced village staff and projects, preventing big increases in the tax levy. However, because the assessed values are going down, often the tax rate still goes up.
In Lyndonville, for example, the tax rate has climbed from $9.70 per $1,000 of assessed property in 2008-09 to $13.65 in 2016-17. That is a 40.7 percent increase over eight years. Village officials say it’s difficult to prevent property tax increases when sales tax and mortgage tax revenues are declining.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 February 2017 at 1:55 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature agenda for its monthly meeting on Wednesday includes resolutions in support of allowing rifles for big game hunting in Orleans County. The Legislature also plans to support a proposal that would limit the SAFE Act to New York City.
The Legislature’s regular meeting starts at 4 :30 p.m., at the County Clerks Building, Suite 2 at 3 South Main St.
The Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen Club attended the Legislature’s December and January meetings, asking the county to allow rifles for deer and bear.
The Legislature’s proposed resolution of support states the following:
“WHEREAS, the Orleans County Legislature has listened to both sides of the argument of the use of rifles to hunt big game in Orleans County at several past Conference Sessions and Legislature Meetings; and
“WHEREAS, a special state law must be enacted and the first step in the process is for this Legislature to request the legislation; now be it
“RESOLVED, that this Orleans County Legislature requests the New York State Legislature to enact legislation that will allow the use of rifles for big game hunting in all of Orleans County.”
The Legislature also plans to approve supporting legislation to partially repeal the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Act of 2013. Excerpts of the Legislature’s proposed resolution includes:
“WHEREAS, Senate bill S879B has been introduced to the New York State Senate by Senators Michael Nozzolio and Katherine Marchione respectively, which would repeal part of the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013; and
“WHEREAS, this Legislative Body has long advocated for the protection of the rights afforded our citizens under the Constitution, which has for generations guided our Nation and served as a framework to our republic and society; and
“WHEREAS, the Second Amendment of the United States provides for the “right of the people to keep and bear arms” and further states that this right “shall not be infringed”; and
“WHEREAS, the Civil Rights Law of the State of New York states in Article 2 Section 4, “Right to keep and bear arms. A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms cannot be infringed.”; and
“WHEREAS, the lawful ownership of firearms is a recreational benefit to our residents through hunting and target shooting, along with an economic and environmental benefit to our region with several locally owned and operated gun/sporting businesses; and
“WHEREAS, the New York State Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement (NY SAFE Act) of 2013 which was rushed to passage by the New York State Senate, Assembly and Governor, will have a detrimental effect on hunters, sportsmen and legal gun owners, creating a hostile environment both for them and for the sale and manufacture of legal firearms; and
“WHEREAS, the legislation unconstitutionally prohibits the sale of firearm magazines with a capacity larger than seven (7) rounds and, those firearm magazines with a capacity larger than seven (7) rounds, which are authorized to be retained by existing owners, may only be loaded with seven (7) rounds and eventually must be permanently altered to only accept seven (7) rounds or be disposed of; and
“WHEREAS, few or no low capacity (seven (7) rounds or less) magazines currently exist for many of the firearms commonly possessed by law-abiding residents of New York State; and
“WHEREAS, the legislation severely impacts the possession and use of firearms now employed by the residents of Orleans County for the defense of life, liberty and property; and
“WHEREAS, the legislation severely impacts the possession and use of firearms now employed for safe forms of recreation including, but not limited to hunting and target shooting; and
“WHEREAS, while there are some areas of the legislation that the Orleans County Legislature finds encouraging, such as the strengthening of Kendra’s Law and Marks’s Law, as well as privacy protections for lawful permit holders, we find the legislation fails to offer little meaningful solutions to gun violence and places undue burdens where they don’t belong, squarely on the backs of law abiding citizens; and
“WHEREAS, there are many parts of this legislation that place an unfunded mandate on the local Sheriff Departments, County Clerk’s Office and County Judges, while tax payers are crying out relief; and
“WHEREAS, there will be significant financial impact due to the approximately 5,000 Orleans County pistol permits that will have to be renewed requiring additional manpower and computer systems; and
“WHEREAS, requiring law-abiding gun owners to verify ownership of certain types of firearms every five years, in addition to registering them on permits, which now also must be renewed every five years, does not increase the safety of the public and is unnecessarily burdensome to the residents of New York State; and
“WHEREAS, this legislation effectively treats countless New York State law abiding gun owners as criminals; and
“WHEREAS, the enactment of the NY SAFE Act has engendered significant controversy over both the process by which it was enacted and certain provisions contained within; and
“WHEREAS, the manner in which this legislation was brought forward for vote in the State Legislature is deeply disturbing to the Orleans County Legislature; and
“WHEREAS, this legislative body unanimously voted to oppose the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013 for all reasons stated above in RESOLUTION NO.82-213 of the Orleans County Legislative proceedings of February 13, 2013; now be it
“RESOLVED, that the Orleans County Legislature does hereby support Senator Robert Orrt’s bill to repeal part of the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013, limiting the application of the “S.A.F.E. Act” to the five boroughs of New York City; and be it
“FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Legislature supports the introduction of an Assembly bill which calls for the repeal or partial repeal of the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Act of 2013; and be it
“FURTHER RESOLVED, that this legislature supports efforts by the New York State Legislature to remove funds for enforcement of the New York Secure Ammunition and Firearms Act of 2013 from the New York State Budget.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2017 at 7:40 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: Rich Nolan performs “Eight Second Ride” during the karaoke finals on July 30, 2015. The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County wants to have a permanent stage at the fairgrounds, with the stage also available as an outdoor classroom for master gardeners and agricultural specialists.
KNOWLESVILLE – The Cornell Cooperative Extension has decided on the main project for a $96,000 state grant to be used to boost the fairgrounds.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month announced each county fair would receive an $89,285 grant for a capital project. That grant increased to $96,000 once the paperwork arrived, said Robert Batt, a 4-H educator.
A committee at the Extension wants to put most of the money into upgrading a performance stage at the Curtis Pavilion.
That stage could be used during the week-long 4-H Fair for dancers, bands and other activities. It also could serve as an outdoor classroom for the master gardeners and agricultural specialists at other times of the year, Batt said today.
The Extension would like to have a 40-foot-wide stage that is 30 feet deep. The project would also include a separate area that could be used as a changing room or a spot to prep materials for educational presentations, Batt said.
The new performance stage would spare the Extension from having to pay $2,000 each fair for a temporary stage with a large tent. That $2,000 could instead be put towards programming at the fair, he said.
The Extension also would like to install a sound system for the Curtis Pavilion if there is enough money in the grant.
If there is additional money left after the stage project, Batt said the Extension would also like to install a new wash rack for horses. Right now, 4-H kids wash their horses in the grass, which becomes muddy as fair week stretches on. Ideally, the horses would have a wash rack like the new one with a concrete base that was installed for cattle last year. That cost about $15,000, Batt said.
The state is making the grants available to all the county fairs in the state, hoping the capital improvements can help the local fairs better showcase local agriculture.
The performance stage met the criteria by the state because the stage will also serve as an outdoor classroom for agriculture specialists and master gardeners, Batt said.
“These investments will help these fairs attract more visitors, raise the profile of local vendors and businesses, and help spur economic growth across New York,” Cuomo said last month when he announced the grants.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2017 at 6:03 pm
Provided photo
KNOWLESVILLE – Joe Sidonio of Murray holds one of the new 4-H signs he paid for and donated to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County.
Sidonio donated seven road signs. Five will replace existing signs – one of Route 98, and two each on Route 31 and Route 104. The Extension would like to have two signs installed on Route 31A at the entrance of Orleans County by the Monroe County line and the Niagara County line.
“Several of the signs are rusted to the point where they are barely legible,” said Robert Batt, 4-H educator.
Sidonio donated the the signs to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 4-H program. His wife Amy Machamer is a former board member for the local Extension and their daughter, Amelia, has been a 4-H member for several years.
Batt said the new signs should go up in the spring. The five that will replace existing signs should be an easy swap, but the two planned for 31A will require a permit from the state Department of Transportation. If that permit is difficult to obtain, Batt said the signs planned for 31A may be installed at the 4-H Fairgrounds at Knowlesville.
“We just think it’s a good way to showcase that there is a strong and vibrant 4-H program in Orleans County, and the signs will also give people a reason to smile,” Batt said.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 February 2017 at 3:33 pm
Photos by Kristina Gabalski
KNOWLESVILLE – Makenzie McGrath of Medina presents a demonstration on fairy gardens, showing how to plant succulents as part of the design, during 4-H Public Presentations Saturday afternoon. This was Makenzie’s second year participating.
“I liked it,” she said of giving the demonstration. “I didn’t get nervous. I got nervous last year, but not now.”
Orleans County 4-Hers are in the midst of their annual Public Presentations Program which provides an opportunity to improve public speaking skills.
Participants select a topic of their choice and present either an illustrated talk, demonstration, formal speech, recitation, or dramatic interpretation. 4-Hers who are members of a horse club or participating in a horse-related project can do presentations on horses either as an individual demonstration or a team demonstration.
The 2017 program will continue on Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Education Center on the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Lydia Scharlau of Medina presents an illustrated talk on giraffes.
Megan Hardner of Lyndonville describes the parts of a ukelele as part of her 4-H Public Presentation on Saturday afternoon. Megan said she has been teaching herself to play the instrument because of her affinity for all things Hawaiian.
Following their presentations, 4-Hers and their families enjoyed ice cream sundaes before being awarded their certificates of participation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2017 at 8:51 pm
File photo by Tom Rivers: Students are eager to get to the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School in Albion on the first day of school on Sept. 7.
Orleans County school districts would collectively see about $1.3 million in state aid in 2017-18, according to Gov. Cuomo’s budget proposal.
The five school districts – Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina – received $86,780,004 in state aid in 2016-17. That would increase to $88,072,678 in 2017-18, according to the governor’s budget.
Cuomo is proposing a $1 billion increase in school aid state-wide, a 4 percent increase to $25.6 billion.
Cuomo, during a budget address on Jan. 17, said state funding for schools has increased 30 percent over six years.
“The people of this state believe that education is a priority. I agree with them, and we’ve put our proverbial money where our mouth is, the highest level of education spending in history,” Cuomo said.
The governor also wants to update the Foundation Aid formula to better reflect student poverty and consolidate prekindergarten funding streams.
Here is the breakdown for each school district in Orleans County:
• Albion would see overall aid increase by 1.7 percent or $445,327, going from $26,145,250 in 2016-17 to $26,590,577. The district’s Foundation Aid would increase from $19,586,268 to $19,909,890.
• Holley’s overall state aid would increase by 3.36 percent or $527,702, going from $15,694,417 in 2016-17 to $16,222,119. Holley’s Foundation Aid would rise from $9,772,927 to $9,952,814.
• Kendall would see overall aid jump 14.1 percent or a $1,490,671 increase, from $10,573,996 to $12,064,667. The district’s Building Aid is driving the increase with that going from $584,656 in 2016-17 to $2,154,370. Without the Building Aid, Kendall’s other state aid actually decreases by 0.79 percent or $79,043.
• Lyndonville would see an overall increase by 2.71 percent or $242,940, going from $8,964,368 to $9,207,308. Foundation Aid would see a slight increase from $5,908,151 to $6,009,994.
• Medina’s overall aid would drop by $1,413,966 or by 5.57 percent, from $25,401,973 to $23,988,007. The district’s building aid is dropping from $4,092,316 to $2,301,051. Foundation Aid, however, increases from $16,446,235 to $16,719,313. Medina’s school aid, without building aid, increases $377,299 or by 1.77 percent.
The school numbers often see an increase from the State Legislature over the governor’s proposal. The budget for the Legislature and governor to reach a budget deal is March 31.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 February 2017 at 4:21 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: A business on Main Street in Albion has an “Open” flag, encouraging people to stop in.
Sales tax revenue in Orleans County dropped for the second straight year in 2016, according to the State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
Sales tax collections were down 1.2 percent or $182,421 in 2016, a drop from $15,469,950 in 2015 to $15,287,529.
That decline followed a drop of 1.5 percent or $233,412, from $15,703,362 in 2014 to $15,469,950 in 2015.
The sales tax is a key source of revenue for the county government. It also is a measure of the local economy.
“Sales tax collections are a crucial, yet unstable source of revenue for local governments,” DiNapoli said in a report. “The impact of little to no growth is felt in several regions across the state, especially in counties and municipalities that may already be struggling financially. As the year progresses, local officials will need to closely monitor their budgets should these collections slip.”
Other counties in Western New York saw decreases including Niagara County, down 0.9 percent; Cattaraugus, down 3.9 percent; Erie, down 0.2 percent; Genesee, a drop of 2.4 percent; and Livingston, down 0.8 percent.
Most counties experienced growth in sales tax. The comptroller’s report showed 39 out of 57 counties had gains.
DiNapoli’s report showed the strongest sales tax growth in 2016 was in the Mid-Hudson Valley with a 2.9 percent increase and Long Island with a 1.9 percent increase.
Central New York was the only region in the state to suffer a decline in collections, while growth in the Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier and Western New York was below one percent, according to the comptroller.
Orleans Hub wrote an editorial on Oct. 31, 2016 with ideas about growing the sales tax. Click here to see “Editorial: To lower taxes and strengthen economy in Orleans, local officials should grow sales tax.”
Provided photo: Tim Kirby (in back), board member for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, led a group in canning tomatoes.
Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County
KNOWLESVILLE – As the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension rings in a new year and its 100th year anniversary celebration, another important task is at hand – finding the next leader of their organization.
The Board of Directors is actively seeking an Executive Director to lead them into the second century of extending research-based knowledge into local communities.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of Cornell Cooperative Extension, as some of the core programs of our mission have seen a resurgence in popularity, as people recognize and value the relevance of agriculture, local foods, nutrition, youth development, and other strong programs traditionally offered by our organization,” said Deborah Roberts, interim executive director.
Roberts is in a unique position to see the changes. As former executive director, she has seen the changes over the years.
“Our traditional programs, such as support to the agriculture community remains, but we have become more innovative in the ways we deliver education and reach the whole population.”
One recent successful innovation has been the addition of a commercial kitchen on the fairgrounds that can be used to support large events as well as serve as a venue for teaching.
This fall, board member Tim Kirby taught a group how to can tomatoes, a skill that younger generations have not previously had a chance to hone.
In addition the Master Food Preservers, Master Gardeners, the 4-H Cooking Club, Expanded Food and Nutrition Program, and other clubs and community groups all utilize the kitchen for preservation, cooking, and other programming in new ways.
Part of the celebration of the centennial will happen during the Orleans County 4-H Fair. The occasion will be marked with two nights of fireworks, strolling acts, and special live animal performances.
This year will also introduce new contests and events for youth and adults, including a quilt show. These new elements and traditions like livestock shows, delicious foods, and connecting with friends and family will make the week a true celebration of the 100 years of successful programming and the beginning of the next 100 years.
While the community recognizes the strong alignment between CCE and the county fair, numerous other elements are needed for an executive director to be successful.
“Our leader needs to connect us to campus, continue to grow our programs, manage the facilities, and focusing on revenue generation,” states Ed Neal, chairman of the board of directors. “The next executive director will be inheriting a terrific team of staff members, an informed and dedicated board of directors, and an opportunity to facilitate community conversation about the future of Cooperative Extension in Orleans County.”
Filling the position is the agency’s top priority this year, Neal said, and several local residents have already expressed interest in the job, which carries a $58,000 salary and requires a Master’s Degree.
For more information on the Executive Director position, please visit jobs.cce.cornell.edu.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 February 2017 at 1:54 pm
Wayne Litchfield
ALBION – A Medina resident has an ambitious goal: to make sure every school-aged child in Orleans County doesn’t go hungry over the weekend.
Wayne Litchfield, a retired county dispatcher who now heads the VALOR Medical Reserve Corps for the county, wants to start a backpack program, where children would have six meals in backpacks to take home for the weekend.
He is in the early stages of trying to put together a program with VALOR partnering with Foodlink, and local churches, organizations and school districts.
“We are looking for stakeholders,’ Litchfield told the Albion Rotary Club on Thursday. “It will need to be community driven.”
Litchfield is also a volunteer with the Hands 4 Hope ministry, which distributes some food on Saturday mornings, visiting Albion twice, and Medina and Holley once each month. Hands 4 Hope also takes prayer requests from people who stop by.
The experience has been an eye-opener for Litchfield, who sees a lot of desperate families with very little food to eat. Hands 4 Hope gives away a “share” which is about $20 worth of food for each family.
Litchfield would like to start “Pack 4 Hope” for kids in school to bring home meals for the weekend. Foodlink could provide six meals per child at $2.50 per kid, Litchfield said.
His ultimate goal would be to have food for each child eligible for free or reduced lunch. The breakdown per school district for children eligible for free or reduced lunch includes 777 in Albion, 402 in Holley, 348 in Kendall, 302 in Lyndonville, and 548 in Medina. The total is 2,377 in the county, Litchfield said.
Medina’s PTSA already runs a backpack program serving 60 children. That is what the group can financially afford, he said.
To feed all of the kids on free and reduced lunch over the weekends would cost over $475,000, Litchfield said.
Foundations locally and regionally, businesses, USDA programs and other funding sources will likely be pursued, he said.
He wants to try a less daunting beginning. He is looking at a pilot project with Lyndonville, the district with the fewest number of kids eligible for free or reduced lunches with 302. Lyndonville also is considered by the federal government to be a “food desert” because there isn’t a grocery store in the village.
Jason Smith, the Lyndonville Central School superintendent, said the district would like to partner with Litchfield and VALOR.
“We support an opportunity to provide meals for some of our neediest families,” Smith said today.
The number of children eligible for free and reduced lunches may need to be a starting point for looking who could be served by such a program, Smith said. If the funding isn’t there for all children on free and reduced lunch, Smith said a backpack program serving fewer children could be a possibility.
Litchfield said a backpack program could be run through VALOR, which is a non-profit with a 501c3.
He wants to pack nutritious meals for kids – fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains and protein.
With better meals over the weekend, students would see improved attendance at school, and a better ability to concentrate, especially earlier in the school week, leading to higher grades, Litchfield said.
Provided photo: New York State Association of Counties congratulate recent graduates of the County Government Institute. They were recognized on Jan. 31 in Albany. From left, include: NYSAC President William Cherry, Oswego County Legislator Terry Wilbur, Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller, Monroe County Legislator George Hebert, Chemung County Legislator Paul Collins, Genesee County Assistant Manager Matthew Landers, and NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario.
Posted 2 February 2017 at 3:17 pm
Press Release, NYSAC
ALBANY – Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller, R-Kendall, was honored on Tuesday by the New York State Association of Counties for graduating from the NYSAC County Government Institute. The ceremony was held at the NYSAC Legislative Conference in Albany.
The NYSAC County Government Institute is an educational program established in conjunction with Cornell University. The Institute provides an educational program for county elected and appointed officials, to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of county officials. For more information, visit www.nysac.org.
DeRoller is an Orleans County Legislator for District #4, the Towns of Carlton, Kendall, Murray, and the Village of Holley. He is committed to serving the residents of the community and Orleans County in the most efficient and effective ways possible.
“The Institute’s vigorous curriculum prepares county leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the increasing demands of local government leadership in now and in the future,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
William E. Cherry, NYSAC President and Schoharie County Treasurer agrees. “The County Government Institute equips county officials with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to address the challenges and opportunities of leadership, and to engage in civil dialogue with constituents as well as fellow leaders.”
The County Government Institute’s comprehensive curriculum includes extensive course work on government ethics, building consensus in a political environment, principles of county budget and finance, and public sector labor/management relations. The courses are supplemented with electives, training sessions, and continuing education courses designed to support county leaders in serving their constituents.
“My experience with the NYSAC County Government Institute has been very positive in furthering my knowledge through meaningful courses to reach or exceed my learning expectations,” DeRoller said.
DeRoller also serves on the board of directors for the Orleans Economic Development Agency and is active with the Kendall Lions Club.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 February 2017 at 10:23 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: Genesee Valley Transportation parked a train on the tracks in Holley next to the Holley Cold Storage in this photo from Aug. 26, 2014.
BATAVIA – The Falls Road Railroad, which runs from Lockport through Orleans County to Brockport, has been approved for $1.1 million in state funding.
The railroad, which is owned Genesee Valley Transportation in Batavia, plans to use the funds to upgrade a multi-modal facility in Lockport and replace railroad ties along the system.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the funds for GVT on Wednesday, part of $25 million in rail and port improvement projects across New York.
The grants, awarded through the Governor’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, will support projects that strengthen infrastructure and economic development vital to the movement of goods throughout the state, Cuomo said.
“These grants will help strengthen New York’s infrastructure, attract new investments, and foster economic growth in communities in every corner of the state,” Cuomo said. “A strong, reliable transportation system is critical to supporting safe, efficient travel for both New Yorkers and visitors, and our investments are key to ensuring the long-term resiliency of infrastructure across the state to support economic growth for generations to come.”
The $25 million will support track rehabilitation, capacity expansion, railroad bridge repairs, and economic development opportunities. An additional $5.4 million in private and local funding is being leveraged through this state initiative, Cuomo said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 February 2017 at 9:17 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Paul Gray, a motor equipment operator for the Orleans County Highway Department, moves a pallet of computer units and other electronic waste at the County Highway Department at 225 West Academy St. This photo was taken on Sept. 18, 2015.
ALBION – Orleans County has collected nearly 400,000 pounds of “e-waste” since it started offering disposal sites for residents in September 2015.
Many of the older TVs with cathode-ray technology were ending up in ditches along rural roads. Garbage trucks didn’t pick them up beginning on Jan. 1, 2015 and local can redemption centers didn’t take them.
About 500 TVs were picked up by highway crews the first eight months of 2015 before the county opened waste collections sites at the County Highway Department today at 225 West Academy St., Albion; Murray Town Hall at 3840 Fancher Rd (Route31); and the Shelby Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
“It’s been a very successful program with quality of life issues,” said County Legislator Ken DeRoller. “It makes the county look better.”
The county pays Sunnking Incorporated of Brockport to pick up and dispose of cathode ray tube televisions and other e-waste – monitors, computers, peripheral devices and other household electronics.
The Sunnking contract is based on quantity or weight of the items. It’s about a $28,000 to $30,000 per year cost.
The state last summer announced it would help municipalities with some of the cost of properly disposing of e-waste. James Bensley, the County Planning Department director, said the state is offering to cover half of the costs. Orleans has submitted an application for state funding, which would be $14,000 to $15,000.
The collected waste at the three sites totals 368,987 pounds since the county started the service, including 208,665 pounds in Albion, 115,510 at Shelby and 44,812 at Murray, according to data from the County Planning Department.
The county also runs household hazardous waste collection events, with residents disposing of 22,291 gallons of liquid waste and 41,205 pounds of solid waste during five events since 2009.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Members of the Honor Guard in Orleans County are pictured with their certificates after being named the 2016 ‘Person of the Year” by the Orleans Hub. Pictured, include, from left in front row: Dave Kusmierczak, Adam Johnson, Earl Schmidt and Eric Delano. Second row: Ken Schaal, Fred Heschke, Steve Johnson, Tony Vicknair, Frank Berger, Dave Higgins and Ron Ayrault. Back row: Gary Befus, Bryan Splangler, George Bakeman, Mike Donahue, Steven Goodrich, Bob Blosenhauer, Charles Eberhardt, Al Pulcino and Glenn Whitmore.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 February 2017 at 8:40 am
Orleans Hub recognized nine outstanding citizens on Tuesday during an awards program at Hoag Library in Albion. Pictured, front row, include: Bill Menz, Nicole Tuohey and Carol D’Agostino. Back row: Jack Burris, Linda Redfield, Wes Bradley and Holley Ricci-Canham. Missing: Chris Busch and Erik Olsen.
ALBION – Orleans Hub held its annual awards program on Tuesday evening and presented certificates to our annual list of “Outstanding Citizens” and also the “Person of the Year.” About 75 people attended the program at the Hoag Library.
Orleans Hub Editor Tom Rivers and Publisher Karen Sawicz pick the annual winners, looking for people who make extraordinary contributions to the community.
We named the “Honor Guard” as Person of the Year in appreciation for veterans who volunteer at about 100 military funerals each year. The Honor Guard provides a solemn and dignified sendoff, sometimes standing for hours in the freezing cold or blistering heat.
The Honor Guard marches in parades, and attends numerous local community services – Memorial Day, the opening ceremonies for the County Fair, Sept. 11 and Pearl Harbor memorial services, and many other events.
There are Honor Guards in Medina (with members from Lyndonville) and a combined group from Albion and Holley. Each group has about a dozen regular volunteers and they usually range in age from 60 to their early 90s.
The Albion-Holley and Medina groups will often work together for a funeral. They want a good turnout to pay their respects.
Many communities struggle to have enough volunteers for the Honor Guard and veterans may come in from outside the community. Orleans County still has a dedicated corps, but the Honor Guard members worry about that, especially as many of the veterans get older.
Several Honor Guard leaders spoke at Tuesday’s awards program, saying they are grateful for the chance to show respect for the veterans at their funerals.
Orleans Hub presented our fourth annual list of Outstanding Citizens. We picked people who have been volunteering or serving in community causes for many years. They do their good deeds for little to no pay, driven by a love for their community and neighbors.
Here are our picks for Outstanding Citizens for 2016:
Nicole Tuohey: The Medina woman is a prolific fundraiser in the fight against Alzheimer’s. She typically raises about $1,000 each year for the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s.” Tuohey, 26, each year sells about 1,000 paper “elephant links” and creates a chain that is used to kick off the annual “Walk to End Alzheimer’s.” Nicole has Triple X Syndrome. She hasn’t let that disability prevent her from being a tireless advocate against a disease that took the lives of her grandparents, Don and Jane Bradley.
Erik Olsen leads a town meeting during a recent “Old Tyme Day,” an annual celebration at East Shelby Community Bible Church.
Erik Olsen: The leader of East Shelby Community Bible Church has the church dedicated outreach. Every July for the church hosts an “Old Tyme Day” celebration in east Shleby, serving pie, lemonade and hot dogs for a penny. There are horse-drawn rides, candle-making, and other activities with an emphasis on fun – and old-fashioned technology. About 2,000 to 3,000 people attend Old Tyme Day, a huge crowd for the tiny hamlet in East Shelby once known as West Jackson Corners. Church members have created a mini-village across from the church. That village also draws about 500 to 1,000 people for an old-time Christmas celebration.
The church has been growing ever since Olsen and an initial group of 40 people started the church at a former Methodist Episcopal building in 1989. That church building had been empty for 30 years. The East Shelby Community Bible Church has grown so much – about 275 members – it has put an addition on the building.
Carol D’Agostino: The Kendall Junior-Senior High School principal makes numerous community connections as leader of her hometown school. She serves on the boards for the Orleans Economic Development Agency, the Orleans County United Way and the Human Services Council of Orleans County, often bringing back ideas for Kendall to improve opportunities for students and the community. D’Agostino helped start the Kendall Innovations Committee, which brings together leaders from the school district, town government and county to brainstorm ways to promote Kendall. She is a member of the Lawnchair Ladies and led the school through a major capital construction project.
Linda Redfield: The long-time ESL teacher helps students build a better life. In the past 20-plus years, Redfield has helped about 400 farmworkers learn English. Redfield started going to labor camps in 1994, before a school built by the World Life Institute became the base for classes in 1999. The school on Stillwater Road offers evening courses in English, as well as computer literacy, pottery and other programs through a partnership with the Orleans-Niagara BOCES. Several of the students attended the awards program on Tuesday.
Wes Bradley: The Lyndonville resident leads the fund-raising effort that makes Lyndonvilel the place to be each Fourth of July in Orleans County. Bradley works throughout the year raising money on the big show, which tops $20,000. Bradley, a retired teacher, is active in the community in many ways, from serving on the Yates Town Board, to 37 years with the Fire Department and serving as finance chairman for the Lyndonville United Methodist Church. He also serves on the Lyndonville Area Foundation Board of Directors, which distributes more than $100,000 a year to community causes. Bradley also helped start Lyndonville’s annual Christmas celebration in 2013, where residents, businesses or organizations decorate Christmas trees in Veterans’ Park. That has now grown to 61 trees with the community welcoming Santa and singing Christmas carols.
Jack Burris: The Albion resident started a new ministry last year where he and a team of volunteers take a former red delivery truck to stops in Albion, Medina and Holley, alternating sites each week. Hands 4 Hope distributes bags of food and takes prayer requests. “Unfortunately in Orleans County there is a lot more heartache out there than I thought there was,” Burris said. “There are a lot of people in tough circumstances.”
Provided photo: Chris Busch, right, is pictured with Ronan Tynan on Sept. 17. Tynan, one of the biggest names to perform in Orleans County in many years, sang to a capacity crowd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Chris Busch: The chairman of the Orleans Renaissance Group isn’t afraid to aim high and reach for the stars. Last year he and the ORG welcomed famed Irish tenor Ronan Tynan to Medina for a concert at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Busch has been an active Medina community member for many years, leading the Tree Board that has helped Medina plant about 1,000 trees in recent years. Busch is chairman of the Medina Planning Board, insisting on design standards in the historic district that have preserved Main Street’s look as if it was a Norman Rockwell painting. Those standards have attracted investment in the downtown from numerous businesses.
Busch last year also helped spearhead the first-time Farm-to-Table Dinner event in Medina on Aug. 4 that attracted 137 people for a fine dining experience on a closed off section of Main Street.
Holly Ricci-Canham: The Carlton woman compiled a book on local farmers, a two-year effort that culminated in 300 pages after interviewing 150 farmers. “Mom & Pop Farming in Orleans County, New York – The past brought to life” is one of the most ambitious local history books in many years. The book includes about 400 photographs and includes reminisces about simple days with lots of hard work. The farms featured in the book were part of a close-knit community with neighborhood schools and churches. Ricci-Canham grew up on a “mom and pop” farm in Kenyonville run by her parents, Pete and “Mike” Ricci. The book covers farm operations throughout county with sections about muck farmers, dairies, fruit and vegetable farms, canning companies, migrant labor camps, “ladies accounts,” technology changes as well as country schools, “kids play” and fairs and celebrations.
Bill Menz: The Medina resident has spent more than a decade working on a monument and memorial outside the former Medina Armory, which has been a YMCA the past 35 years.Menz doesn’t want the original purpose of the building to be forgotten, as a training site for soldiers who served in many wars. Menz helped build the monument that was unveiled in 2008 by the Armory. In recent years he has been raising money for a bronze statue to go on top of the monument. Menz and the Company F Memorial Committee met its $65,000 goal at the end of 2016, with Menz sending out letters, knocking on doors and making numerous phone calls. The 7-foot-high statue could be ready in 2018.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 January 2017 at 12:23 pm
ALBION – Otto, the new K9 dog for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, will be getting a new vehicle.
The County Legislature last week approved spending $50,192 for a new 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe from Joe Basil Chevrolet in Depew. The Legislature also approved buying two Tahoes for patrol vehicles for $101,824.
The Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 13 welcomed Otto, a German Shepherd from Holland. Otto works with Deputy Jeff Cole. The K9 is trained in tracking and will receive more training with Cole.
The dog will be useful for solving crimes, finding suspects and also for public relations. Otto will join Cole for patrols and for narcotics detection.
In other resolutions, the Legislature last week:
• Named Jerry Bentley, the Barre fire chief, a new deputy fire coordinator, replacing Marty Zwifka of Albion who is retiring after 20 years. Bentley will be paid $2,178 for the year.
• Authorized the Highway Superintendent to purchase four new pickup trucks – 2017 Chevrolet Silverados – from Joe Basil Chevrolet in Depew for $123,832.
• Approved spending $12,369 for a new road planer from Clark Equipment in West Fargo, ND, and $45,877 for a Ford F-550 utility truck from Van Bortel Ford in East Rochester. Both will be used by the Highway Department.
• Approved a five-year agreement between Sheriff’s Office and Taser International of Scottsdale, Arizona to buy and support 25 Premium X26P Tasers, at a total cost of $44,510.
• Authorized the Health Department to spend up to $100,000 for the human rabies vaccine for post-exposure treatment.
• Appointed Bruce Baker to the Orleans County Board of Health.
• Appointed Elaine Berg of Murray to the Orleans County Planning Board, term effective until Dec. 31, 2019, with Charles Felice of Murray to serve as the alternate.
• Approved allowing the Strawberry Festival Committee to use the Courthouse grounds for the annual Strawberry Festival on June 9-10.
